Window-cleaner.



` n T.'K. BBRNTSON.

WINDOW CLEANER.

APPLIGATIQN FILED 11111321, 1912.

Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

Cw? A NH L h Wim THOMAS K. BERNTSON, OF WASHITGTON, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.

WINnowfxcLnANER.

Specicationgof Letters Patent.

Application l'ed J' une 21, 1912. Serial No. 705,044.

The invention relates to an improvement" in window cleaners of the type designed more particularly for use with windows of vehicles, and adapted for more or less permanent connection with the window.

The general object of the invention is the provision of a window cleaner which, when in place, may, by a sim le and convenlent operation, be caused to e ectively clean both sides of a window pane throughout a prescribed area, the-construction providing for s uch operation from either side of the wmdow.

The particular object of the invention. is the provision of window. cleaner contaming few parts, wi h such parts constructed for the moist effective application of vthe cleaning elements directly to the window pane, whereby to permit the convenient asv semblage of the parts of the device in 0perative position, in a manner to at all times protect the glass against damage in the use of the device.

Generally stated, the invention comprises duplicate cleaning arms, so constructed and arranged that their inherent resiliency is utilized to assist in maintaining effective co- -operation between the rubbing orI cleaning element and the window glass, a sleeve interlocking said arms for simultaneous movement, and in turn adapted for free rotation through an opening in the glass, and means for independently securing said arms to the sleeve in a manner to avoid direct pressure of said arms on the glass at the point of connection. The invention, in its preferred form of detail, will be described in the following specitication, reference being had particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation, illustrating the application of the device, a portion of the latter and the glass being in section. Fig. 2 is a similar View with all parts in longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a View in elevation', illustrating the application of the' device. Fig. v4 is a bottom plan view of one of the arms "Fig, 5 is a View illustrating the pivot sleeve inE plan and in end elevation.

Fig. .6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device in position, with the connecting sleeve and tie bolt in elevation, illustrating particularly the bearing coperation of the locking washers. Fig. 7 is a plan of one of the locking washers. Fig. 8 is a plan of the tie bolt. Fig. 9 is a trans- -verse section through one of the arms, with connected rubbing element.v Fig. l0 is an 'elevation of an automobile shield, showing the application of the device thereto, and illustrating the cleaning area ofthe device in use.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, my improved window cleaner includes cleaning arms l and 2. As these Patented Apr. 29, 1913.

arms are of duplicate construction, a detailed description of one will suffice for both.

The arms are constructed of sheet metal,

pressed into proper form, and the use of` sheet metal is particularly important in the present lnvention, in that while providing for a reduced cost of manufacture, the inherent resiliency of the metal is utilized to increase the efficiency of the structure.

Each arm comprises, in completed form, which as previously stated is obtained by pressing or the like, an approximately circular cup-shaped head 3, and a rubber Carrying section lradiating from the head.

The section 4 is of U-form, as shown more articularly in Fig. 9, and immediately ad- 4jacent the head 3, the free edges of such section are offset outwardly from thesimilar edge of the head, and from such offset point incline gradually inward, until at the free end of the section, the free edges thereof are on a plane inwardly beyond the free edge of the head.

As thus constructed, each arm presents a cup-shaped head having the free edge of theflange thereof at right angles to the axis of the head, and a section radiating from the head of U-form, with its free ed e inclining from a point outwardly of the ree edge of the head flange, as the device is assembled, to a point inwardly beyond such free edge of the head flange. y

A pivot sleeve 5 is used to connect the heads ofthe respective arms, and to interlock said heads one with the other to insure simultaneous movement of the arms. The pivot sleeve is a cylindrical body, having a length exceeding the combined thickness of both heads 3, and also of the glass with which the device is to be used. The ends of the sleeve are cut away on opposite sides, as at 6, to leave di ametrically opposed proj ections 7, which projections are of a size and shape to snugly fit an approximately rectangular opening 8, centrally formed in the head of each arm, and are of a length eX- ceeding the thickness of the base or bottom wall 9 of the head.

, As the respective ends of the pivot sleev are `identically formed, it is obviousv that when both arms are in place on such sleeve, the arms, through the connection described, are interlocked for simultaneous movement with each other and with the sleeve.

The glass 10 is formed at an appropriate point with an opening 11 of a size to receive the sleeve, and at the same time permit of a free rotary'movement of said sleeve, without 'undue play, it being understood that after application of 'the sleeve, the arms are connected ywithpthe sleeve as described, one on each side of the glass.

A tie bolt 12, preferably threaded throughout its length, is passed through the sleeve, projecting therebeyond at each end. A Washer 13 is applied on each end of the sleeve, and these washers play a more or less important part in the structure. They are each centrally formed with an opening 14 to snugly lit over the projections 7 of the pivot sleeve, and each washer has a thickness slightly exceeding the length ofthe projections 7 beyond the outer surface of the bottom of the head of the arm. By this arrangement, the outer surface of the washer projects slightly beyond the free ends of the 2 projection 7 with which said washer is connected, so that upon the application of cap nuts 15 to the projecting ends of the tie bolt 12, said nuts will exert a pressure directly upon the washer, and through the washer bind the heads of the arms upon the sleeve. Through this arrangement, the arms may be interlocked with .the sleeve, and the desired rigidity of connection maintained 'at this point, without in any way increasing the pressure upon the glass, as will be clear from Fig. 6 of the drawing.

lA rubbing element, such as an appropriate 50 length of rubber strip 16, is secured in the section t of each arm, being preferably applied between the side plates of the sect-ions, and the latter pressed` inwardly to grip the strip. A suitable section of the rubber strip will project inwardly beyond the free edges of the arm to bear upon the glass. In the use of a strip of rubber or other flexible cleaning strip, the inherent resiliency of the sections l of each nrm is important, in that in the manipulation of the device, as hereinafter described, the rubber strip will be bent laterally and follow the arm, in order to provide the most effective cleaning action. It

being obvious from Fig. 10 that in use the 'l arms are swept over an area limited by their lengths beyond their lpivot support, and then returned, it will be apparent that having reached one limit of movement, the rubber strip must be reversed for the return movement. The resiliency ofthe arms permits the reversal, as under the pressure induced, the arms will move away from'the glass, to

permit a' reversal of the rubber,.and then return to normal position. Furthermore,the resiliency of the arms provides'tor maintaining an effect-ive contact..between the glass surface and the rubbing element, so that the effective cleaning operation is insured throughout the full length of the rubbing element. j

I am aware that it is Ynot new with me to provide arms on opposite sides of a window to be cleaned and to connect said arms for simultaneous movement'in the cleaning operation, but in all such inventions with which I am familiar, the arms are essentially rigid, and no provision is made for securing a' proper degree of pressure upon said arms, while at the's'ame time avoiding injurious contact between the arms and glass. It is in the specific details looking to carrying out these advantages that my invention resides. l

It may be stated that while preferring a liexible element as 16, as a rubber, my device would be eifectivewith a rigid or scraping element, in the use of which the resiliency of the arms would maintain effective coperation of said rigid element and the glass.

From Fig. 10, it will be seen that in the use of the device with an automobile shield,

a prescribed area can be 'effectively cleaned l by a simple operation by the driver, without necessity of leaving his seat, thereby permitting a clear view under any and all weather conditions. Furthermore, as the projection of the device beyond the surface of the glass is comparatively slight, no interference or possible contact with the other section of the shield could result in the usual folding of the shield.

It is, of course, to be understood that the device is applicable to any and all windows, though more particularly designed for use with automobiles, locomotive windows and the like, wherein the necessity for a clear view is imperative, and'that the operation of the device may be effected at any time desired, and the device withV equal efficiency applied to any desired part of the window.

What is claimed is:

1. A window cleaning device, including inherently resilient. arms, a pivot sleeve rotatably mounted-'in the element to be cleaned and formed beyond each surface of the element for interlocking connection with one of the arms, and means for securing each arm against separation from the sleeve, the arms and sleeve interlocking connection maintaining a xed spacing of the arms and sleeve and, projecting beyond the adjacent surface of the element independentlyvv of the ends of the sleeve, and means engaging the pressure of the securing means. tie bolt and bearing upon the Washers.

2. A Window cleaning device, ,including In testimony whereof I afliX my signature 5 inherently resiliext arms, a pivot sleeve, `the in presence of twouwitnesses.

respective ends o the sleeve bein@ formed to interlock With the arms and mailtain said THOMAS K BERNTSON arms in fixed spaced re1ation, a tie bolt lll/illnesses: passed through the sleeve, Washers engaging E. EDMON5TON, J r.,

L0 with the interlocking connection of the u KJ; DELABAR. 

